Trains are more energy-efficient than buses, have lower operating costs (especially if electric), more comfortable. In terms of light rail vs bus however >easy rerouting to more busy lines ... you can just increase frequency >not blocked if one in front breaks down This is a risk, but generally the idea is to do enough preventative maintenance so that this doesn't happen and to have sufficient crossover switches to work around this >Resale to other bus lines It's best to just use your vehicles until EOL, Toronto used their last generation LRVs for decades- far longer than a bus would last. >Less upfront cost That's REALLY not a benefit. This is why American infrastructure is failing: a failure to consider maintenance cost or have any long-term thinking. The bus can not really get more comfortable. Drive on a smooth road and have a great suspension system: it'll still be less comfortable than a smooth ride on a train.

This whole "one mode to rule them all" attitude- common in American news media- is toxic. Cars, trains, buses, planes, and more all have their place.